On Leave

We thought we'd take a holiday 

our dream to get away
escaping from the 'Rat-Race' 

and the hurly burly fray
a sunny place pedestrian pace 

with not too much to do
a little healthy exercise 

perhaps a drink or two 

We got there without hindrance

expectations running high
it seemed so transcendental 

beneath a bold blue summer sky
the town close by was beckoning

we gaily ventured out

every restaurant we passed 

was guarded by a Tout 

"Come in here and taste our stuff"

 everywhere we went
on every corner cads and knaves

and rogues to circumvent
Three card tricksters, 

counterfeiters, 

drunkards very many
philanderer's and blackguards

in pursuit of every penny
We ventured back with eyes alert

attuned to sound and smell
A haven break? 

Not sure my friend

to me it seemed like hell